Champions Trophy Schedule Announced, India – Pakistan Encounter on February 23 in Dubai
NEW DELHI, Dec 24: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday finally announced the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 schedule to be hosted by Pakistan conforming that India will play all its matches in Dubai.
The elite tournament, that is being hosted in a hybrid model and played in ODI format, will start with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The final will be played on March 9. India will play its first match of the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.
The eight competing teams have been divided in two groups. Group A has Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh while Group B consists South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England. India will play Pakistan in Dubai on February 23.
The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches, and will be played across Pakistan and Dubai, the ICC said. In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host tournament play. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.
Lahore will also host the final on March 9, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.
Groups:
Group A – Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
Group B – South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England
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Champions Trophy Schedule:
19 February, Pakistan v New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan
20 February, Bangladesh v India, Dubai
21 February, Afghanistan v South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan
22 February, Australia v England, Lahore, Pakistan
23 February, Pakistan v India, Dubai
24 February, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
25 February, Australia v South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
26 February, Afghanistan v England, Lahore, Pakistan
27 February, Pakistan v Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
28 February, Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore, Pakistan
1 March, South Africa v England, Karachi, Pakistan
2 March, New Zealand v India, Dubai
4 March, Semi-final 1, Dubai
5 March, Semi-final 2, Lahore, Pakistan
9 March, Final, Lahore (unless India qualify, when it will be played in Dubai)
All matches will be day-night encounters.
(Manas Dasgupta)
